Guest Editorial: Ferry system swims or sinks with federal aid

The Alaska Marine Highway System has never fully paid its own way with ticket revenues; it’s always needed state money to cover the gap between what it costs to operate the fleet and what it can collect from travelers.

It’s just like asphalt and concrete highways, which need funding in the state budget to cover expenses.

The dilemma is that the gap between ferry system revenues and expenses has widened over the years as service has been cut back — fewer tickets sold for fewer sailings means less revenue.

The other dilemma is political. More Alaskans, and their state legislators, drive the road...